Sunday Supplications

This morning, my heart is heavy as I think of the people I love who are struggling.

With loss

With sickness

With loneliness

With fear and an unshakable feeling that things are just not going to get better

Rather than come up with something clever, I am compelled to fall to my knees (gently) and pray earnestly for those who need the miraculous, comforting, healing companionship of our faithful and loving God.

God,

I bring before you earnest requests of comfort and peace to abide by those who have experienced the death of a loved one.

I almost said loss, but I felt corrected that they are not lost at all. They are with you. Home. Safe and sound. Healed. Restored. Reunited.

Yet even with our faith in this fact, our hurt remains. For our loved ones will not be here - with us. This is where we feel that loss. God, come to that space of void and fill it with comfort and peace for all those who ache. Abide with them so closely they can feel your breath upon them.

Father, with a hope-filled heart, I ask that you tend to the sick and miraculously remove any physical or mental dysfunction that hurts them. You have given our bodies the capacity to heal. I humbly ask that you supercharge that ability and bring healing and order to their bodies and minds. I pray for all the caregivers and healers who come alongside those who are hurt and sick. Strengthen them, comfort them, and guide their minds and bodies to provide the care that brings healing.

God, help us be your hands and feet to seek out the lonely and isolated. Lift our heads from our screens and selfish ways and help us seek out the alone and unattended. We know the enemy lurks in the secret, dark places and attacks us when we are vulnerable. Please help us to be the light that shows the way to you as we offer kindness and companionship to let people know they are not alone.

Lord, so much fear is weighing down on your people. I stand alongside millions who come to you in prayer for supernatural healing for our world. I pray for our leaders and all who speak and advocate for others. I pray that your Holy Spirit enters closed rooms and rests upon decisions and discussions. I pray for truth and humility to trend within each and every one of us so that our thoughts and words are light in the darkness, offering hope and kindness. Help us be invisible, so all they see and hear is You.

Thank you, God, for hearing the prayers and pleadings of this old (ish), redeemed soul. Where would I be without you, Father? I am lost without you, as we all are.

Thank you for hearing us, finding us, helping us, healing us, restoring us, and loving us.

Our reliance remains ever centered upon you.

If we ever needed you, Lord, it's now.

Amen.

Philippians 4: 6-7

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2: 1-2

I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.

Psalm 34: 17-18

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.